"You never want to cut someone off who you believe is experiencing violence," explained Chris Handberg, director of programs and research at the Domestic Violence Network. "You never want to say,'this is too much for me, I'm going to cut off ties with you.' Instead, to always be that lifeline for them, even though it can be exhausting."

It's exhausting because oftentimes, victims like Carleigh stay in relationships, even when a partner is trying to control their every move.

"I just want people to know that that's not good, that's toxic. It's not a good relationship when you can't have freedom other than that person. It's just gonna keep getting worse," said Hager.

It will be a long road to recovery for Carleigh, and a lengthy legal process for the man accused of abusing her.

"I hope he is there for a long while, and, that's where he needs to be," said Ballard.

Cameron faces up to 34 years in prison if he’s convicted of all of the charges. A trial date has been set for December 19.

Cameron ripped out most of Hager's tongue and attempted to suffocate her with her own blood.

According to court documents, police responded to the couple's home late Saturday on a domestic battery call.

The documents say that Cameron spoke with police through the front door, but would not open it. Police could hear a woman crying inside.

When police threatened they would force entry, Cameron unlocked and opened the door. He was covered in blood.

He told police that he and his live-in girlfriend of two years were arguing about a wedding. He was then taken into police custody.

Upon entering the home, police found large amounts of blood. They found that a back bedroom door had been kicked open. There was blood on the carpet in the bedroom. They observed what appeared to be human hair on the busted-up door frame. A handgun sat on top of a safe in that bedroom.

A second door leading to a bathroom near that bedroom had also been forced open. Police say they found a "massive amount" of blood on the bathroom floor, walls and tub. It appeared that Hager had tried to escape through a bathroom window.

They found Hager inside the bathroom. She had multiple facial injuries and was covered in blood.

Court documents state that officers observed that the tip of one of Hager's ears appeared to have been bitten off, she had a deep laceration to her scalp and forehead and she had bite marks on her right forearm. Her eyes were bruised and swollen shut.

The couple left with several friends who came back to the couple's home. Hager said Cameron began insulting her and calling her names, so she went to the back bedroom to escape. The couple's friends told police that they then smoked marijuana with Cameron in the living room.

Hager said Cameron later entered the bedroom, hit her and tried to strangle her.

She said their friends came and took Cameron back to the living room.

Hager told police that she doesn't remember much after that, but she does remember Cameron coming back into the bedroom and attacking her a second time.

That's when one friend described hearing a loud bang and all three witnesses described hearing a "choking" sound. They all ran to the back bedroom again and found Cameron with his hands around Hager's neck. They observed a large amount of blood coming from her her nose and mouth.

The witnesses were able to get Cameron outside into the yard. They said that one of them called police and Cameron began to fight with the other two. He then ran back inside the home and locked the door.